Schwaben play to draw against 1899

VfB's clash against Bundesliga leader 1899 Hoffenheim at Neckarstadion ended with a 3-3 draw. While Schwaben were fortunate to come out with the draw it was likely the low point of Markus Babbel's tenure. Following the Zenit Saint Petersburg match only a few days earlier, Jan Šimák, Arthur Boka and Cacau for Martin Lanig, Ludovic Magnin and Ciprian Marica from the out-set.

VfB gave up the lead after twenty-four minutes as Andreas Beck dispatched the ball Demba Ba who fired the ball to the back of the met. Only a few minutes later Cacau received the ball from Mario Gómez and quickly leveling the match. On the half hour Ludovic Magnin came in for Arthur Boka who was stretchered off after being hacked down by Sejad Salihović. Although only receiving a yellow card, disciplinary action from the DFB is possible however nothing will assist Boka now as he is lost for over six weeks with torn knee ligaments. As the match got started going again, the German international Mario Gómez headed in Serdar Tasci’s cross five minutes later to take the 2-1 lead. Just before the break a defensive miscue lead to Demba Ba set free and pounding the ball in from twelve metres.

After the break Mario Gómez stylishly flicked Ricardo Osorio's delivery over onrushing 1899 goalkeeper Daniel Haas. The lead was short-lived as Demba Ba punished another defensive miscue only for minutes later. In added time the spot was pointed to after Ludovic Magnin was adjudged to bringing down Carlos Eduardo. Call it poetic justice or just the will of Jens but Sejad Salihović effort flew over the bar and the match ended with a 3-3 draw.

Following the match Ludovic Magnin said:

"Today we were heftily punished for our individual errors. I personally made a big mistake before the break and I am very sorry for that. If we'd had gone into the break 2-1 up, we would have won the game. Before the penalty I said to Jens, "Please save me"!!